AN- I apologize for the long waited update. Real life has gotten in the way and I also blame a few games that recently came out! LOL! But, I do thank those that placed this on their alerts list, as well as for the encouraging reviews :) Thank you for the kind words to keep this fic going! I've been having fun writing it, and I definitely want to thank my beta for this fic, xseikax! I've also had to place faces with a few characters, and Frayed One, who is working on an awesome 3 part fic, gave me the idea for Alistair: Ryan Kwanten as Alistair...(it fits to no end on him playing a lovable idiot lol!) however, for my Morrigan, I have an idea of Camilla Belle with Morrigan's trademark golden eyes, a brown haired Ashley Greene with hazel eyes as my Kathryn, and Drew Fuller as my Fergus. That's just for my own idea, I suppose :) But, I still need to come up with Leliana, Sten, Zevran, the Teyrn and Teyrna Cousland, Loghain, Howes, Anora, and Cailan...but on with the fic, and thank you!
Disclaimer: Bioware owns all, I just choose to write about it!
Roland Gilmore rested his elbows on the wooden railing as he watched two lightly armored soldiers spar in the practice area, as he called out instructions. He heard footsteps coming towards him from behind and he turned, seeing Kathryn walk towards him, dressed in light leather armor, with her daggers sheathed in the scabbards nestled against her back. Her long brown hair was pulled back into a tight bun, to avoid any interference.
"Well my lady, you look ready to go!" Roland grinned, as he pushed himself off of the railing to greet Kathryn.
Kathryn smiled in reply at him, as she hopped over the top railing into the ring, with such dexterity it looked as though she floated while doing so. Roland smiled with approval. "Very good. I'm assuming your mother had been helping with your skills in stealth?"
She shrugged slightly. "Somewhat. But I've also been practicing."
Roland excused the young soldiers who were there to train or watch in the previous session, allowing Kathryn her privacy that she valued so highly. Once they were alone, Roland hopped over the fence railing into the ring to join Kathryn. "Shall we practice, or just spar, my lady?" He smiled at her.
Kathryn grinned at her friend and mentor; Roland was only a few years older than her, Fergus' age to be precise. They had grown up together, Kathryn constantly dragging Roland along as children, getting into trouble, while he attempted to keep her out of it. They were the cause of Nan's headaches at the castle, constantly being caught raiding the castle's larder of sweets. Roland was relaxed around Kathryn while training her, however Kathryn urged him not to hold back. Her hazel eyes had more of a green tint to them today, and they flared with mischief as she reached to the daggers on her back, pulling them both out, and spinning them before readying herself for combat. "Spar, Roland."
Roland reached for his sword and shield that had been set against the fence near where he stood, and he readied himself, smiling at her. "As you wish, my lady."
Alistair and Fergus walked towards the training grounds, seeing it vacated, except for two that looked as though they had just began a sparring match in the middle of the ring. "Ah, my sister just started her session." Fergus smiled at the thought.
Alistair watched the large red headed knight in the ring with Kathryn as she twisted, and turned, throwing her daggers down onto him, hitting against either his shield, or blocked by his sword. He was just as evasive as she was, quickly moving out of the way of her strikes as she moved quickly at him. Finally, she stopped and backed away. "Frustrated, my lady?" The young man laughed at her.
Kathryn threw down her hand, but Alistair and Fergus noticed she had thrown down a potion that caused her to disappear leaving behind a cloud of black smoke. Fergus, Alistair, and Roland all stared at the spot where she was standing, their mouths dropped slightly in shock. Suddenly, she appeared in a cloud of black smoke behind Roland pointing her blade at his back. "Tag, Roland. You're it." She was breathing heavily.
"What in the Maker's name was that!" Fergus called out, drawing attention to where he and Alistair stood.
Roland turned quickly to look at the young men walking towards them. Kathryn quickly placed her hand on his arm, "Roland, please, I will explain later. I ask that you don't say anything about seeing Fergus and his companions here, alright?"
Roland nodded, and looked at the two men now standing in front of Kathryn.
"Where did you learn that?" Fergus asked her.
Kathryn shrugged. "Mother taught me, and taught me how to create that potion. However, it's very tiring, so I have to watch when I use it." She then narrowed her eyes at them. "Didn't I tell you to go to Brother Aldous?"
"I wanted to see your training session, and see how well and far you've come. It looks as though you're doing just fine, sister." Fergus grinned.
Kathryn looked at the two of them, pointing her finger away from them, "Go!"
Alistair's face reddened as her eyes moved to his face, catching his stare.
"Anything else?" She placed her hands on her hips.
Fergus nudged Alistair. "Remember when we were children, and we were the ones who told her to go away?"
"Yes, and I remember how you two thought it funny to set my hair on fire as a child!" Kathryn pointed out.
Alistair let out a laugh that was immediately silenced at Kathryn's glare. "Fun times." Fergus smiled at his younger sister.
The two wardens walked away, heading into the direction of the Chantry to seek out Brother Aldous. "I didn't realize he survived," Roland said, walking to stand next to Kathryn.
Kathryn let out a heavy sigh. "Neither did I." She looked at her friend. "There's somewhat of a situation that needs the most utter discretion. Now that the King had been killed at Ostagar, and with Fergus and Alistair being the only two Grey Wardens left in all of Ferelden, it's a delicate matter that must be kept in the utmost secrecy. I trust you, Roland, as Knight Commander of Highever. My father should be coming back from Denerim with my mother and the rest of the men shortly, and we will all plan from there. but," She pointed her finger at him, jabbing at his chest, "you are not to say a word, do you hear me, Roland Gilmore?"
Roland smiled down at her, gently grabbing her hand that jabbed at his chest. "I understand, my lady."
She took her hand back, and sheathed her daggers into the scabbards on her back, and dusted herself off. "Good."
Fergus stood at the back entrance to the Chantry, turning his head to ensure he and Alistair were alone, as he knocked onto the door. The door opened to reveal a rotund balding man, with a short cut beard, dressed in a man's chantry robe. He laughed aloud, his face lighting up at the sight of Fergus. "My boy!" He yanked the young man into a bear hug, lifting him up.
Fergus attempted to let out a breath at the squeezing the jolly Brother had done. As he was let to his feet, he couldn't be angry with Brother Aldous; he had been with the Chantry in Highever since Fergus was a teenager, and became a loyal friend to the Couslands, as well as a loyal and compassionate man to the people of Highever. Fergus had quickly found out why his father had specifically picked Brother Aldous; the man not only specialized in making various potions and formulas, but also specialized in making what he called, "The Maker's Brew", and obviously kept it a secret from the Revered Mother. He was a lovable man, that the people had grown fond of, and enjoyed his relaxed environment sermons. Fergus and his father, along with a few other knights under his father's command, had a few drunken knights with the Brother, joyously singing songs into the night.
Fergus grinned at him, placing his hand onto the Brother's arm. "Hello, my friend." He turned to Alistair, "This is my friend, Alistair."
Alistair stared at the man, and smiled slightly. He reminded Alistair of a large stuffed bear that a young girl in Lothering had been carrying
"You received the letter?" Fergus asked.
"Oh yes." He smiled at the memory of Leliana. "Rather lovely young woman your sister had sent as a messenger."
Fergus shook his head, rolling his eyes as he urged to go inside. The three walked into the back room of the Chantry. "We need something done." He paused, glancing at Alistair. "Well, he does. He looks too much like Cailan."
Aldous looked up at Alistair. "You are Maric's other son?" He asked him.
Alistair shook his head, holding up his hands. "I'm now a Grey Warden."
Aldous looked at Fergus, noticing the unshaven face, and longer hair that had now reached his chin. "Yes, well you can possibly pass for a normal refugee." He then studied Alistair. "I got just the thing."
"How about a drink afterward, Brother?" Fergus asked with a grin.
"I don't see a problem in sampling the Maker's brew!" Aldous answered with a deep hearty laugh.